Overview
Respond to the following post:
#1 An evidence-based approach is critical to success in a capstone project because it helps to ensure that the project is grounded in credible, reliable research and data. This approach involves using existing research, data, and evidence to inform the design and implementation of the project rather than relying on assumptions or personal opinions. By using an evidence-based approach, you can ensure that your project is based on the best available evidence, which can increase the likelihood of success and help to justify the project's conclusions and recommendations. Additionally, an evidence-based approach can minimize bias, improve the validity of the project's findings, and increase the project's credibility as a whole.
I plan to incorporate various evidence-based methods in quantifying complex hydrocarbon mixtures typically found in diesel fuel suspected of having leaked from an underground storage tank (UST). The most accurate method to quantify this form of contamination is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (Environmental Protection Agency, 2022, Hajšlová & ?ajka, 2007; Li et al., 2020). A federally contracted regulated laboratory will provide its method of quantifying this value. I intend to discuss methods not employed in the field and provide a recommendation substantiated by the available literature. Furthermore, I will discuss risk management methods deployed at the APE site according to the relative hydrocarbon soil saturation limit Csat (EPA 2022). Utilizing available literature, I will provide alternative risk management techniques. If found, the impact of the soil levels of hydrocarbons at the APE site will be compared to other known hydrocarbon leaks at the national and global levels.